Convertible chair.



J. RIZZO.

CONVERTIBLE CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 23,1915.

Patented Apr. 17, 191?.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

am: Pmns co. Puomuma. WASNING mm a c.

J. RIZZO.

CONVERTIBLE CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 23, 1915.

1,99%23730 Patented Apr. 17, 1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

m: NDRRIJ PITBRS 0a.. nwm-Lrma. WASHING run, a. (L

' J. RIZZO.

CONVERTIBLE CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 23.1915.

Patented Apr. 17, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

mm. NW

JOSEPH. RIZZO, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CONVERTIBLE CHAIR.

Application filed July 23, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jossrrr R1220, a subject of the King of Italy,residing at New York city, in the county of New York and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ConvertibleChairs, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to an improved convertible chair; and themain object of the invention is to provide an improved chair that may beeasily and quickly re-arranged to form a drawing table, a convenientwriting table, a lounging chair, a dressing table, a shaving table, arocking chair and numerous other articles of furniture, and which, atthe same time, may be operated so as to assume a neat and com pactstructurethat may be placed out of the way, or easily packed in aconvenient position.

Another object of my invention is to provide a chair of the above naturewherein the several parts are readily operable in order that the samemay be changed from one position to another with but very littleexertion upon the part of the operator. Hence the device is especiallyadapted to be used for household purposes.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type inquestion that consists of but a few simple parts whereby it is believedthat the same may be manufactured at a comparatively low cost.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent during thecontinuance of the following description.

The above and other objects which will become apparent, are accomplishedby such means as are shown in their preferred form in the accompanyingdrawings, described in the following specification and then morespecifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like characters designate likeparts throughout the several views;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention shown in form of alounging chair.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof illustrating the same in theform of a lounging chair, suitable rockers being shown in dotted linesshowing the same as a rocking chair.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A. 1'7, 191?.

Serial No. 41,538.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the device shown in a completely foldedposition such as when it is desired to be placed out of the way orconveniently carried.

Fig.4 is a side elevation of my invention showing the same in the formof a dressing table or shaving stand. When in this position the devicealso forms a comfortable chair.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the device as shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of my invention shown in the form of adrawing table.

Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the device in the form of a writingtable. In this posi tion the device may be also used as a step ladder.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the rockers that is used when thedevice is to be converted into a rocking chair.

Fig. 9 is a detailed view showing one end of an arm rest and means tofacilitate the attachment thereof to the body of the chair.

Referring now more particularly to Fig 1 of the drawings, the numeral 10designates the pairs of crossed supporting legs, the legs of each pairbeing foldably connected at a point adjacent their upper ends throughthe medium of pins 11. The forward ones of the supporting legs areconnected by a trans verse brace member 12 that tends to hold the samein a secure rigid position relative to each other. While the bracemember 12 connects the forward supporting legs at a point intermediatetheir ends, the said sup porting legs are again connected as at 13, ata'point adjacent their lower ends, the cross piece 13 not only servingto hold the lower ends of the forward ones of the supporting legs in asecure rigid position, but also serving as means to retain the pivotedsupporting structure lt in a substantially upright position. As will benoted upon reference to Fig. 1, the pivoted supporting structure 1 1carries a connecting board 15 which, when the supporting structure is inan approximately upright position, rests on the cross piece 13 and ofcourse prevents further movement thereof. The rear ones of thesupporting legs are also connected as at 16 whereby they are normallyheld in a rigid position relative to each other. This connecting meansalso serves to limit the movement of the pairs of supporting legsrelative to each other and thus prevent eX- cessive spreading thereofwhen the device is in the form of a chair.

A seat portion 17 is hingedly connected to the cross piece 12 as at 18and is provided with transversely spaced apart sockets 19 for thepurpose of receiving the upper ends of the supporting structure 14. Achair bottom 20 is also hingedly connected to the cross piece 12 as at21 so that it may normally lie on the seat 17. It is to be understoodthat the chair bottom 20 may be upholstered in any desired manner suchas indicated by the dotted line 22 in Fig. 2. The cross piece 12 alsohingedly supports as at 23, a panel 24L, the latter serving, when in useas the back of the chair. It is to be noted that the panel may also beuphols-tered in any desired manner such as indicated by the dotted line25 in Fig. 2.

Another cross piece 26 connects the forward ones of the supporting legs10 adjacent their upper ends, the purpose thereof being to support theupper end of the panel 24 and also to retain the upper ends of theforward ones of the supporting legs in a rigid position. The cross piece26 also carries a pair of adjustable retaining blocks 27 betweenwhich'and the rear edge of the upper end of the forward supporting legs10, rests the lower portion of a movable panel 28. It will of course beunderstood that the adjustment of the blocks. 27 will cause the movablepanel 23 to be securely gripped and thus held in a secure position. Alsoit will be recognized that the movable panel 28 will be readily removedfrom this position so as to' co-act with other portions of the chair aswill be presently pointed out.

A pair of arm supports 29 are swivelly connected to themovable panel 28as at 30, each of the said arm supports'being provided with suitablesockets 31 and 32 in order to effectually engage the upper ends 33 ofthe supporting legs. Again it should be understood that the arms 29 maybe up holstered in any desired manner such as indicated by the dottedline 3% in Fig. 2.

The movable panel 28 is further provided with a pair of suitably curvedside portions 35 between which may be mounted a mirror or other similardevice such as indicated by the numeral 36. A suitable cover is alsoemployed so that when the device is in the form of a chair the mirror 36will be effectually protected, at the same time the cover serving as asuitable head rest. In constructing this cover, a cross piece 37 ishingedly connected to the movable panel 28 as at 38, the cross piecebeing of such length as to tit snugly on the upper edges of the sides Asecond cross piece 39 is in turn hingedly connected to the cross piece37 as at l0 and this cross piece also lies upon the upper edges of thesides 35 as shown. The

remaining portion of the cover is rigid, as it is formed of a pluralityof rigidly connected strips ll disposed at obtuse angles relative toeach other and lies upon the upper edges of the sides 35, the lower oneof the strips engaging the upper edge of the cross piece 39. The upperone of the strips 4-1 is hingedly connected to the upper edge of themovable panel 28 as at s 2. Pence by moving the cross pieces 3'? and 39downwardly, and raising the strips 11, the mirror 36 may be brought intoconvenient position. As will be noted upon reference to Fig. 2, thecross pieces 37 and 39 respectively, and the strips 11 may beupholstered in any desired manner such as indicated by the dotted lines43.

Upon reference to Fig. 1 it will be noted that the device in thisposition forms a comfortable lounging chair. However I have providedimproved rockers which may be easily and quickly attached to the lowerends of the supporting legs 10 and thus convert the entire device into arocking chair. The form of rocker which is preferably used is shown indetail in Fig. 8 and consists of a body portion a l which is cut out .asat 45 adjacent its respective extremities in order to receive the endportions of .the supporting legs. The rocker is shown attached in Fig.2, the lower ends of the supporting legs ontering the cut-out portionse5.

In Fig. 3 the supporting legs are shown in a folded position, such aswhen the device is to be placed out of the way or conveniently carried.When the supporting legs are in this position, the arm supports 29 areturned on their swivel connections at right angles, to hang verticallyfrom'the movable panel 28, the seat 17 and the chair bottom 20 beingbrought upwardly to lie upon the main panel 24;, while the supportingstruc ture ii is moved rearwardly to assume parallelism with the legs asshown.

In Figs. t and 5 the device is shown in the form of a dressing table orshaving stand. When in this position the parts are substantially in theposition shown in Figs. 1 and 2; however the panel 2 f forms the back ofthe chair, while the strip 37 rests against the portions 35, while thestrip 39 rests on the upper edge of the panel 24; and forms a suitableshelf in proximity to the mirror 36. In this position the device assumesa neat and compact form, the parts ll forming a suitable tray. In Fig. 6the device is shown used as a; drawing table and when in this'position,the movable panel 28 is reversed and laid upon the upper ends of thesupporting legs as shown, so as to form the top of the table. In Fig. 7the parts are substantially in the same position as in Fig. 6. Howeverthe seat l7 is raised into an operative position thus allowing thedevice to be used as a step ladder.

From the foregoing it is believed that the advantages and novel featuresof my invention will be readily understood and therefore furtherdetailed description is deemed unnecessary.

In reducing my invention to practice I find that the form referred toherein as the most practical and preferred embodiment is the mosteflicient, but realizing that certain conditions will necessarily varyin concurrence with the adoption of my device, I desire to emphasize thefact that various minor changes in the details of construction and inthe proportion of parts may be resorted to When required Withoutsacrificing any of the advantages of my invention as defined in theappended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, What I claim as new and desireto se cure by Letters Patent is 1. A convertible chair of the charactercomprising pairs of supporting legs, a cross piece connecting theforward ones of said legs at a point intermediate their ends, a seathingedly connected to said cross piece, means to support the outer endof said seat, a panel hingedly connected to said cross piece, means tosupport said panel, a movable panel carried by the forward ones of saidsupporting legs, and a pair of arm supports pivotally connected to saidmovable panel and adapted to engage the upper ends of said supportinglegs, substantially as de scribed.

2. In a convertible chair of the character described, pairs ofsupporting legs, a cross piece connecting certain of said supportinglegs at a point intermediate the ends thereof, a seat hingedly connectedto said cross piece, a supporting structure pivotally connected adjacentthe lower ends of certain of said supporting legs for supporting theouter end of said seat, a panel hingedly connected to said cross piece,another cross piece connecting certain of said supporting legs adjacenttheir upper ends, and serving to support said panel, a second panel, apair of adjustable blocks carried by said second mentioned cross piece,the lower end of said second mentioned panel being arranged between saidblocks and the upper ends of said last mentioned supporting legs, and apair of arm supports pivotally connected to said second mentioned paneland engaging the upperend of said legs, as and for the purpose set forthand described.

3. In a convertible chair of the character described, pairs ofsupporting legs, a cross piece connecting certain of said supportinglegs at a point intermediate the ends thereof, a seat hingedly connectedto said cross piece, means pivotally connected to certain of saidsupporting legs to support said seat in a substantially horizontalposition, a panel hingedly connected to said cross piece,

a second cross piece connecting certain of said supporting legs at apoint adjacent their upper ends and serving to support said panel, asecond panel removably connected adjacent the upper ends of certain ofsaid supporting legs and adjacent the upper end of said first mentionedpanel, a pair of arm supports pivotally connected to said secondmentioned panel and engaging the upper ends of said supporting legs, anda housing formed on said second mentioned panel serving as a head rest,as and for the purpose set forth and described.

4. In a convertible chair of the character described, pairs ofsupporting legs, a cross piece connecting certain of said supportinglegs, a seat hingedly connected to said cross piece, means to supportsaid seat, a panel hingedly connected to said cross piece, a secondpanel removably supported adjacent the upper ends of certain of saidsupporting legs in a plane in parallelism with the plane of said firstmentioned panel, a housing mounted on said second mentioned panel, aremovable cover for said housing, a mirror mounted in said housing, anda pair of arm supports pivotally connected to said second mentionedpanel and adapted to engage the upper ends of said supporting legs, asand for the purpose set forth and described.

5. In a convertible chair of the character described, pairs ofsupporting legs, a cross piece connecting certain of said supportinglegs at a point intermediate the ends thereof,

a seat hingedly connected to said cross piece, means to support saidcross piece, a chair bottom hingedly connected to said cross piece andadapted to lie on said seat, a panel hingedly connected to said crosspiece, a second cross piece connecting certain of said supporting legsand adapted to support the upper end'of said panel, a second panel,means to clamp said second panel at the upper ends of certain of saidsupporting legs in engagement with the upper portion of aid firstmentioned panel, a pair of arm supports pivotally connected to saidsecond mentioned panel and adapted to engage the upper ends of saidsupporting legs, a pair of side members mounted 011 said secondmentioned panel, a cross piece hingedly connected to said firstmentioned panel and adapted to lie on said side pieces, another crosspiece hingedly connected to said last mentioned cross piece and alsolying in engagement with the upper edges of said side pieces, aplurality of strips rigidly connected together, one of said strips beinghingedly connected to the upper end of said second mentioned panel, saidstrips engaging the upper edges of said side pieces, and a mirrormounted on said second mentioned panel between said side pieces, as andfor the purpose set forth and described.

6. In a convertible chair, crossed supporting legs, a seat hinged tofold against the legs above their crossing points, means to support theseat in operative position, and arm supports engageable with the legsand adapted to swing downwardly alongside the same.

7 In a convertible chair, crossed supporting legs, a seat hinged to foldagainst the legs above their crossing points or clownwardly intooperative position, foldable means to support the seat in the last namedposition, a panel forming a back for the chair, a second panel supportedabove the first named panel and foldable against said legs at theirupper ends, and arms carried by the second panel and adapted to hangdownwardly.

8. A convertible chair comprising supporting legs, a collapsible seatattached to certain of sald legs for arrangement 1n an operative and inan inoperative position at In testimony whereof I affix my signature inpresence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH RIZZO. lVitnesses:

J OSEPH DAsAno, IGNATIO PORTO.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

